Election Integrity
Free and fair elections are a foundational component of political freedom.
There is more to democracy than free and fair elections, but there can be no democracy without them. Constant vigilance is required to protect this foundational component of political freedom from the threats arrayed against it, which range from old-fashioned fraud on election day to media manipulation and regulatory obstacles during the campaign period. Freedom House works with local groups to promote voter participation, particularly by youth, and to monitor elections.
NEW: Election Watch for the Digital Age
Freedom House is piloting a new research initiative to investigate the interplay between digital platforms and election integrity. Election Watch for the Digital Age equips technology companies, civil society organizations, and policymakers with a data-driven resource for evaluating the human rights impact of internet platforms on a country’s electoral process.
Digital Election Interference
Shaping the flow of information on the internet is now an essential strategy of those seeking to disrupt the democratic transfer of power through elections. Major authoritarian powers like Russia and China have been implicated in cyberattacks and information warfare linked to elections in democratic states. To learn more, read the Freedom on the Net 2019 essay on Digital Election Interference.
News & Perspectives:
United States: Freedom House Condemns Political Violence in Washington
Press release
January 6, 2021
United States: Freedom House Calls on Lawmakers to Accept the Presidential Election Result
Press release
January 4, 2021
Report: Digital Election Interference Widespread in Countries Across the Democratic Spectrum
Press release
December 7, 2020
Freedom House in the Media:
Featured Experts
If you would like to interview a Freedom House expert on this topic, please email [email protected].